Bar takes on beginner bartenders with Grace

Rookees' Devin Grace teaches Studio 805 hosts his trade

Photos by Gretchen Macchiarella / Star staff
Gretchen Macchiarella pours yet another foamy beer while trying to learn to tend bar at Rookees for "Canned." At right, students practice the Brazilian martial art of capoeira at Bell Arts Factory in Ventura.

Find out what to know about where to go on The Star's Studio805.tv Web site. Here's a look at some video features:

The Place to Be

Gretchen Macchiarella goes pretty much everywhere.

Capoeira: Sway to the rhythm of this martial art.

Hot competition: Chili cook-off brings the heat.

Hitting a golf ball: The basics of contact, most of the time.

Sustainable garden: Celebrate Earth Day by getting your hands dirty.

Canned

Jason Love is not afraid of sounding funny.

Behind the bar: Really handling their booze.

Helicopter fantasy: Riding the wind over the waves.

Sticking it: Hockey practice without the skills.

Hitting the high seas: Can you say rail meat?

Lots More to Eat

Lisa McKinnon dishes on dining.

Savory bread pudding: A chance to win the cookbook, too.

Dispensing delicious: The wine pour of the future.

New food in familiar sites: Restaurants still opening.

I Love Locey

Music writer Bill Locey tells you where the rock is rolling.

Locey's suggestions for the week of May 15: Where to hear the best in live music.

Rockin' Roll Call: What Locey is listening to this week.

Rockin' Roll Call: The Ruby Suns shine.

Adoptable

Learn about pets that need new homes.

Rescued puppies, a rough start but high hopes.

Kona, a handsome dog with personality.

Cookie and Colletta, foster cats in need of permanent homes.

I was spotted at the hardest-to-get-in nightspot in the county.

Behind the bar.

For the new "Canned" Webisode on Studio 805, Jason Love and I became bartenders for a night. Rookees Sports Bar, one of the larger establishments in Ventura, took us in. The exceptionally patient Devin Grace was our teacher and quality control officer.

A bartender holds a tremendous amount of power, which may be part of why it seems so cool. Jason said he felt like he had the key to the grown-up candy store.

For many, bartending is a dream job, like being a baseball player, astronaut or cowboy. (Note: I will be trying out cowboy in the next few weeks.)

I can tell you from standing behind the bar for just a few hours, it's not easy. There are more drinks being shouted out than any recipe book could hold. The taps shoot beer like a firehose. And everyone wants a free drink.

Between an aching back and patience stretched thin by inebriated conversation, I was done well before the bar closed. Had this been my actual job, cleanup would have stretched into the wee hours.

Bartending may be tough, but it's also fun. And the view from behind the bar is pretty cool. I might be spoiled forever.

On Studio 805's food show, "Lots More to Eat," Lisa McKinnon demonstrates a recipe for a savory bread pudding made with farmers market ingredients. It is a decadent dish, and McKinnon made it look easy.

She is also offering up the cookbook she used for the recipe, but you have to watch the video to find out the password to e-mail her.

Even if you don't make this dish, there is certainly some inspiration for a trip to the farmers market or one of the many farm stands in the area.